Conservation Resources 
Lie-Free® Tvne I 






9 Y\r» 

Information on living conditions in the canal zone. 



I. Atlantic Side. 

QUARTERS, 

There are available at the submarine base, Coco Solo, Government 
quarters for 2H man-ied ofticers, 52 bachelor officers, and 10 married 
petty officers. 

The naval air station, Coco Solo, has accommodations for 3 mar- 
ried officers and 14 bachelor officers. 

All quarters are frame structures, built accordine; to one of three 
standard designs. That of the commanding officer is an ei^ht-room 
dwelling. Eight are two-story buildings, having three bedrooms 
and a bath upstairs, with a living room, dining room, kitchen, but- 
ler's pantry, servants' room, with shower bath, downstairs. Two are 
two-story 6-room double houses. The only difference between these 
and the other six-room 2-story houses is a slight difference in the 
arrangement of the rooms on each floor. There are six one-story 
quarters, each having two bedrooms, bath, clinino: room, living room, 
and kitchen, and a servants' room, with shower bath. The three offi- 
cers' quarters at the naval air station are of this latter type. All 
quarters are built especially for the tropics and are spacious, well 
ventilated, and having wide screened-in verandas, extending around 
three sides of each floor of the two-story houses and across the front 
of each one-story house. 

Each house is furnished with two Crex druo-2:ets. dinino:-room table 
and chairs, wicker ujDholstered chairs, and plain wicker chairs for 
the veranda. Each bedroom is equipped with white enameled iron 
bed, two chairs, and a bureau. The kitchen is equipped with a coal 
stove and two chaii's. 

Pillows, mattresses, sheets, pillowcases, and bedspreads may be 
drawn b}' individnal ofricers ou the usual custody receipts. 

There is, in addition, one apartment containing four 2-ropm suites. 
Each suite has a living room, bech'oom. bath, and a large' screened- 
in veranda. All families occupvina' these aiDartments eat at one mess 
and in one large dining room. 

The 10 petty officers' quarters contain four rooms and bath and are 
furnished with necessary chairs, beds, and tables. 

In addition to the above enumerated quarters, the district radio 
material officer has a 6-room cottage in the city of New Cristobal 
at 'the Colon radio station. There are also two 4-room apartments 
for the chief radio electrician and one married operator stationed 
there. Both of these houses are furnished like corresponding houses 
at Coco Solo. 

The total Navy quarters built are far from being adequate to ac- 
commodate all officers and leading petty officers assigned to duty 

27722—21 1 



livi:n'g conditions in the canal zcne. nn 



with the base and the vessels attached. HoAvever, it has been pos- 
sible to accommodate five siibmairine officers' families and two chief 
petty officers' families at Fort Randolph and two chief petty officers' 
families at the Army air station, France Field, both forts being- 
distant only about 1^ mile from Coco Solo. The naval air station 
has been able to obtain quarters for four officers and four chief 
petty officers at Fort Sherman, across the harbor. Quite naturally, 
all Army quarters are occupied with the understanding that they 
must be vacated whenever desired or needed by the Army. Indica- 
tions are that all Army posts will be more fulh^ up to complement 
in the future than they have in the recent past, which means that 
these quarters Avill not be available for use by the Navy. 

Officers and petty officers sent to the Canal Zone for duty should 
not bring their families on the word of an employee of the Panama 
Canal to the effect that " vacated quarters are easily obtainable from 
employees going to the States for four months." At least 50 or TO 
families employed by the canal are without quarters and either 
occupy vacation quarters or rent in the city of Colon. 

Unless quarters can be obtained in some of the above-mentioned 
posts or stations, it is practically impossible for a naval officer to 
house his family, especially if he is entirely dependent upon his 
salary for a living. Desirable houses in the city of Colon are 
unobtainable. 

Very desirable accommodations can be had at the Hotel Washing- 
ton, in Cristobal, at from $6 to $7.50 a day for two persons, Ameri- 
can plan. It is readily seen that a naval officer can not spend an 
extended stay at the hotel unless he has an income in addition to" 
his salary. 

Any officer ordered to the Canal Zone should, if possible, leave 
his family in the States until he has himself investigated the situ- 
ation above outlined. 

PROVISIONS. 

Provisions are obtained both through the base supply officer and 
the Panama Canal commissaries. The base supply officer's facilities 
are limited. However, a district commissary store at the naval 
air station for the use of all naval persons in the district has been 
authorized. The building is completed and the store will soon be 
in operation. It is expected then to be able to purchase all meats, 
fresh provisions, and dry stores from the district commissary. 

The canal commissaries carry practically everything needed hy the 
average housewife — dry goods, hardware, shoes, fresh meats and 
vegetables, and d.Ty stores. Although the variety carried in any one 
article is not wide, the assortment is ample for the average person, 
and the prices correspond very closely to those obtaining in the 
States. 

There is also in Colon a native public market, where native fresh 
vegetables can be purchased in season at a very reasonable price. 

.Fresh milk can be had only under the doctor's order, and then 
only for infants, invalids, or sick requiring such diet. It retails at 
24 cents a quart. Occasionally throughout the year the amount of 
fresh milk for sale exceeds that required for the above class of orders. 
\X such times the excess is sold "Over the Wim^^ the car>al commis- 

L ! BR ARY OF CONGRESS 



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<y34| : MAR.|'il921 



-.onsiMFiivrs uiV.oiON 



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LIVING CONDITIONS /IN THE CANAL ZONE. 3 

saries or served at the canal restaiAmts on order. Frozen fresh milk 
shipped from New York can be li|id at 29 cents a quart. This milk 
does not give ver}" good satisfaction, as it sours readily and must be 
consumed as soon as opened. 

Fresh eggs can be purchased on doctor's prescription in same 
manner as the milk. 

Ice is purchased from the Panama Canal commissary and retails 
at 40 cents a hundred pounds. It is delivered every morning at each ' 
individual quarters by the base force after arrival from town on 
the train. 

CLOTHING. 

Summer clothing is worn at all times. Officers Avear khaki during 
working hours. An officer should bring at least nine suits of white 
service when reporting for duty here. White uniforms are made by 
the base tailor for about $9 a suit, using Navy drill as material. If 
linen suits are desired, same may be had from tailors in Colon for 
from $16 to $20 per suit made to order. Khaki suits can be made by 
tailors at any of the Army posts for $14 a suit or for $20 a suit from 
railors in Colon. Jamaican seamstresses may be had at $1.25 a dar 
plus transportation to and from the base. They do very good work 
and have given very excellent satisfaction to all families employing 
them. 

Caps, shoulder marks, buttons, etc., must be ordered from the 
States. 

There are numerous shops, both in Colon and Panama City, Avhere 
ladies can procure wearing apparel of the latest style. However, all 
goods subject to deterioration with moisture, especially unwashable 
silks and leather articles, have a very short life in this climate. Such 
articles purchased here as a rule give poorer satisfaction than when 
purchased direct from the States. 

EYEGLASSES. 

During the dry season (December to April) the glare of the sun 
makes it desirable for one to wear colored glasses, especially if he 
wears glasses ordinarily. Amber is generally Avorn, although green 
gives better satisfaction to weak eyes. These glasses can be purchased 
at most any jewelry shop in Colon or Panama City at about $2 a 
pair. If one habitually wears glasses and desires to have colored 
lenses, it is advisable to have same ground to prescription in the 
States before leaving. 

SERVANTS. 

Only female servants are employed. Most of these are Jamaicans 
and speak the English language. Good cooks can be had at from 
$16 to $20 a month, maids at from $15 to $18, and nurse girls at 
from $12 to $16 a month. 

Laundresses come to the respective quarters and charge a dollar 
a day and transportation to and from Colon (11 cents each wa^^). 

All servant help is more or less exiDeriencect and quite dependable. 
Although they are not what one would call first-class servants in the 
States, with a little instruction from and patience on the part of the 
employer they soon become accustomed to the American manner of 
living and give good satisfaction. 



4 LiYiXG co:nditions i?;r the cakal zoxe. 

scm>OLS. 

The Canal Zone schools give good instruction. All grades, in- 
cluding four years in high school, are taught. All teachers are 
Americans. The zone schools stand a little above the average ob- 
tained in the States in the 1919-20 public-school census. 

Although there is none at the present, it is hoped to have a kinder- 
garten class on the base in the near future for the instruction of 
those children too young to attend a public school in Cristobal. 

Arrangements can be made to enter children in Spanish classes in 
Colon either in the kindergarten or public schools. The standard 
of these schools is not high and their use is only suggested as a means 
for teaching children the Spanish language. 

LOCATION OF THE STATION. 

The submarine base and the naval air station join each other and 
the two reservations occupy the whole of Coco Solo Point. The 
station is 5 miles by rail and 7 by road from the cities of Colon and 
Cristobal. 

There are eight trains to and from town each day — ^three in the 
morning and five in the afternoon and evening. Transportation for 
all persons in the Navy is free. Officers' wives, families, and serv- 
ants ride at a special rate of practically 11 cents a trip. Full fare 
is 15 cents. 

A market bus makes two trips daily, excepting Sundays, from the 
base to the Panama Canal commissar}^ at Cristobal. The morning 
trip is for officers' families and the afternoon trip for chief petty 
officers' families. Due to the large number of officers and chief petty 
officers' families attached to the base, one representative only from 
each family is allowed one trip every other day. 

There are at the present attached to the submarine base 13 sub- 
marines, two Eagle boats, one seagoing tug, one subchaser, and an 
oil barge. Attached to the naval air station is one Eagle boat and 
one subchaser, besides a total of nine airplanes, one dirigible, and one 
kite Walloon. 

A dredged channel with 24 feet of water extends up alongside the 
sea Avail, thereb}' allowing large vessels to secure at the base when 
necessary. 

The base is located at the eastern end of the Colon harbor or 
Limon Bay breakwater. All tAvo-story offi-cers' quarters face the sea 
and haA'e close, unobstructed Adew of all ships entering or leaving 
port. 

Although the complement of the base includes one company of 
Marines and. a band, neither are at the present attached to the base. 
A band is noAv being assembled at NeAvport and is expected at the 
base by January, 1921. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate is excellent. The dry season extends from about the 
middle of December to the middle of April. During this season 
there is usually a good northeast breeze, which keeps the tempera- 
ture down during the day. The temperature range is about 8°, rang- 



LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE CANAL ZONE. 5 

I 

ing from 84= F. to 92° F., with an?;javerage i.f about 89° F. It rains 
but once or twice a month during tlfiis season. 

The other eight months of the y'ear comprise the wet season, dur- 
ing which time it rains on an average of four days a week, but usually 
during the night. To some persons this season is more enjoyable 
than the dry season. There are no prevailing winds, and often a 
calm prevails for several days. During these calms the sand fly bites 
unmercifull}', especially the newcomer. However, one soon becomes 
used to these pests, and their bites are not serious unless infected by 
scratching. 

The Panama Canal hospitals in Colon and Ancon are large insti- 
tutions, built along the most modern lines and equipped with the most 
modern apparatus known to the medical profession. These hospitals 
can handle the most delicate of cases. 

AUTOMOBILES. 

There is at the present a total of about 20 miles of excellent auto- 
mobile roads on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus. The main road 
runs from Colon to Gatun, is made of cement, and is T miles in 
length. A branch of this runs to the Army air station. Coco Solo, 
and Fort Eanclolph. This branch is 4 miles in length. Aside from' 
the streets in Colon and Cristobal these are the only roads where an 
auto can be used to advantage. Automobiles here are strictlj^ a 
luxury for naval officers, inasmuch as the train schedules are espe- 
cially arranged to accommodate all ordinary demands which may 
require an officer going to and from the base. Gasoline can be ob- 
tained from the canal commissary in Cristobal for 39 cents a gallon. 
Automobile accessories can be purchased from the Panama Canal at 
fairly reasonable ]3rices and for most standard make cars. If at 
any time an officer desires a taxicab, same can be obtained by tele- 
phoning any one of several garages in Colon. The fare to and from 
Coco Solo is $3 and a car can be had within half an hour after tele- 
phoning. 

An officer desiring to bring his own car to the zone may do so via 
Arm}^ transport from Kew York. Cars may be shipped via Panama 
Eailroacl Steamship Line from New York at reduced rates, which at 
present range from $16 to $31.50, depending on the size of the car. 
There are no garage facilities for storage or repair of private cars 
on the base. 

MAILS AND TRANSPOKTATION. 

There are two regular steamship lines running between the Canal 
Zone and the States. The United Fruit Co. maintains a weekly 
schedule' between New York, Havana, Kingston, and the zone. Also 
a weekly schedule between New Orleans, Havana, and the zone. 
Both of these lines carry United States mail. 

The Panama Railroad Steamship Co. maintains a weekly schedule 
between New York and the zone. These vessels also carry United 
States mail. 

In addition to these two lines, the Armj^ runs a transport from 
New York to the zone via San Juan, P. E., once a month and some- 
times oftener. Transports also carry United States mail. 
27722 — 21 2 



6 LIVING COIS^DITIONS IX THE CANAL ZONE. 

The average time to make the/ trip via any of these lines is six 
clays. ' 

Passage on the United Fruit steamers costs $135 for first-class 
passage. This includes Nav}^ rates, which can be obtained only for 
the members of one's immediate family. 

The Panama Railroad steamers give a rate of $30 for first-class 
passage to jSTavy pei'sons and members of their immediate families. 
It is more or less difficult to obtain passage on these ships as Panama 
Canal employees get first choice and it is onlj at certain times of the 
3^ear that passage can be booked by Navy personnel. 

The Army transports charge from $1.25 to $1.75 a day, depending 
upon the individual transport and the excellence of the meals served. 
Army personnel always receive the preference in the assignment 
of rooms, and this condition sometimes forces the Navy into more or 
less undesirable accommodations. This situation is oftentimes bet- 
tered if the Navy person concerned will make his condition known to 
the commanding officer or to the Army quartermaster on board. Es- 
pecially iis this true if it is known there are better rooms on board 
that are unoccupied. Passage can be obtained through the Navy 
Department, subject to existing regulations. 

EverjT^ precaution should be exercised to prevent the loss of one's 
valuables by thieves on board ship. This has been the source of con- 
siderable worry in the past. 

In addition to the three above-mentioned steamship lines running 
between the Canal Zone and the States, there are a total of 50 other 
lines touching at Colon or passing through the canal. These lines 
run to all parts of the world. Most of the steamers carry cargo 
only, but a sufficient number carry passengers to maintain an ade- 
quate schedule over all principal trade routes. 

CABLE. 

The American Cable Co. has direct lines to the United States as 
well as to all principal cities in Central and iSouth America and the 
larger islands of the West Indies. The rate is 32 cents a word (Gov- 
ernment employees) fro^ Colon to any east or Gulf coast city in the 
United States. Interior cities have a slightly greater rate. 

If an officer anticipates much need for cabling to the States it is 
advisable to register a cable address there before leaving for the 
zone. 

ATHLETICS AND AMLTSEMENTS. 

Practically all forms of outdoor summer athletics are indulged in. 
There are excellent swimming facilities of the base for everybody, 
and this sport extends throughout the entire 3^ear. There are four 
excellent tennis courts on the base and four at the naval air station. 
All rackets should be strung with tropical gut. However, this can 
be done after arrival, as there is generally some one on the base who 
specializes in this kind of work. 

There is a very good nine-hole golf course at Gatun, which is about 
10 miles by road and €> miles by water from Coco Solo. This is the 
only course available on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus at present. 
One can reach Gatun by automobile, by boat, or by rail. 



LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE CANAL ZONE. • 7 

Sailing, fishing, and sigiit-seeinai parties are quite numerous. The 
harbor is extremely large and okWs a fine, well-protected sailing 
area for small boats. Mackerel are caught at certain seasons, while 
tarpon fishing in the Chagres Eiver is the best sport that a lover of 
rod and line could hope to get. 

A trap-shooting range has recently been established and is used 
by all. 

In addition to seven reels of motion-pictures every evening in the 
amusement hall, there is an enlisted men's dance in the same hall 
once or twice a month. Officers and wives generally a-ttend these 
dances. 

A complete modern ice cream soda fountain has recently been 
installed in the Y. M. C. A. This has proven a source of much 
pleasure and enjoyment for all officers and their families as well as 
for the men. 

For those who enjoy riding, horses can be borrowed at times from 
the near-by Army posts. ISfumerous trails through the jungle as 
well as the public roads aiford a good riding turf. 

During the rainy season basket ball is the principal form of 
athletics. A Service League, composed of eight teams from the 
Army posts, the naval air station, and the submarine base, has pre- 
sented an excellent exhibition of this game, and enthusiasm runs high. 

In the dry season baseball is the foremost sport. A Panama Canal 
League, a Service League, and a Dungaree League affords ample 
opportunity for all lovers of the sport to either witness or indulge 
in the greatest of American pastimes. 

An amusement hall, capacity about 600, is one of the base build- 
ings. Herein are held moving pictures, dances, smokers, church 
serAace, etc. 

A welfare building, constructed by the Y. M. C. A., provides a 
spacious reading room, library, billarcl and pool parlor, and gym- 
nasium. This building is managed jointly by the Y. M. C. A and 
base organization. 

A third building, containing bowling alleys and five pool tables, 
is built on the base ; bowling alleys are used b}^ the officers' wives as 
Avell as by the officers and men. 

In addition to the Dungaree League, composed of teams from the 
various boats and departments of the base, there is an officers' team 
Avhich plaA^s similar teams from all the surrounding posts and sta- 
tions. 

Boxing is prohibited by act of Congress. 

CLUBS. 

The Strangers' Club, in Colon, Republic of Panama, can be joined 
by commissioned officers. Dues are $5 monthly. This club holds 
frequent dances and smokers for the amusement of its members and 
their guests. Practically all officers belong to this club. 

The Washington Cotillion Club, monthly dues $3, holds biweekl}^ 
dances at the Hotel Washington. Membership is open to all officers. 

Frequent subscription dances are held by other organizations. 



8 - livijstg coxditioi^s i>t the canal zone. 

II. PAC.piG Side. 

The headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Panama Canal are 
located at Balboa, on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. The adjacent 
city of Panama, a fairly modern city, is the capital of the Republic 
of Panama. 

The naval activities at the Pacific terminal consist of the fifteenth 
naval district headquarters and the near-by Balboa radio station. 

District headquarters are at Balboa. At the present time the only 
officers attached to headquarters are the commandant and assistant 
commandant. There are no Navy quarters available for them, and 
the commandant is living in the city of Panama, Republic of 
Panama, while the assistant commandant is occupying temporary 
Armj^ quarters at Fort Amador, Canal Zone. Desirable apartments 
in the city of Panama are very hard to obtain and the rents are 
beyond all reason. All Army quarters on this side of the Isthmus 
are at all times practically filled and at any time even the one set 
of quarters now occupied by the assistant commandant may have 
to be vacated. 

The district communication superintendent has excellent quarters 
at the Balboa radio station and there is also a set of quarters for 
the officer in charge. Darien radio station has also quarters for the 
officer in charge. Darien is situated practically halfway between 
the two terminals of the Isthmus. There are three daily trains from 
Colon to Panama and three from Panama to Colon which stop at 
this station. The time required for the trip betwen these two cities 
is about an hour and a half. There are three outlying radio sta- 
tions in the Republic of Panama, but no officers have ever been as- 
signed to these stations; since being placed in commission they have 
been under the supervision of chief petty officers. Supplies to these 
outlying stations are transported by district craft. 

Excellent accommodations may be had at the Hotel Tivoli, at 
Ancon, Canal Zone, at from $6 to $7.50 a day for two persons, meals 
not included. At the Panama Canal restaurants meals average about 
$2 a day. 

Living conditions on the Pacific side of the Canal Zone are prac- 
tically identical with those described for the Atlantic side, with the 
following minor exceptions : 

PROVISIONS. 

There is no Navy commissary at this side oi" the zone. All neces- 
sary provisions ma^'^ be obtained from the Panama Canal commis- 
saries, and the privilege of buying from the Army coijamissary at 
Balboa is also granted to naval personnel. In the city of Panama 
there is a native market, where meats, fowl, fruit, and fresh vege- 
tables may be bought at very reasonable prices. 

Ai:T03iOBILES. 

On the Canal Zone at the Pncific end there are nbout 50 miles of 
excellent automobile roads. Tlie lonoest stretch is from Balboa to 
Gamboa, a distance of about 20 miles alono- the canal. In the city 
of Panama and its outskirts there are about 50 miles of automobile 



\ 

LIVING COITDITIONS ik THE CANAL ZONE. 9 

roads, the longest stretch embracinf^ Old Panama and outlying vil- 
lages, a distance of about 20 miles. "^^ 

Good automobiles can be hired at any time from the parages in 
Panama City at a rate of $2.50 per hour or at the same rate from 
individual drivers. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

The amusements and sports on both sides of the Isthmus are simi- 
lar. In the Republic of Panama, about 5 miles from Panama City, 
there is a golf course. There is a large swimming pool at Balboa, 
and also four excellent concrete tennis courts, which come under the 
supervision of the Panama Canal Bureau of Clubs and Playgrounds, 
and a tennis court at the Balboa radio station. There are several 
good beaches, one of which is easily accessible. Fishing and boating 
parties are arranged very frequently, and the fishing is unexcelled. 
At the various amusement places there are both indoor and outdoor 
motion pictures every evening and frequent diversions, such as 
musicals, etc. 

CLUBS. 

The Union Club in Panama City, Eepublic of Panama, which is 
frequented a great deal by both Army and Navy officers, may be 
joined by officers without initiation fee, with dues at $5 per month. 
Frequent dances and receptions are given for the entertainment of 
its members. • 

The Centurj^ Club, also in Panama City, may be ioined by officers 
for the initiation fee of $12.50 and dues at $3 per month. 

Membership in the Tivoli Club is open to all officers, the entrance 
fee being $5 and the monthly dues $3, except for officers living on 
the Atlantic side, for whom the dues are $1 per year, plus $2 for 
each dance. Dances are held bimonthly at the Hotel Tivoli. 

December, 1920. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1921 



I IBRftRV OF CONGRES 

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015 817 ovo V 



